Biden visits Angola, announces $1 billion aid package for Africa

President Joe Biden announced over $1 billion in humanitarian aid for Africa during his visit to Angola on Tuesday, marking the first trip by a sitting US president to the country.

The pledge is part of a broader effort to address food insecurity and assist displaced communities in 31 African nations affected by severe droughts.

Speaking at the National Slavery Museum in Luanda, Biden highlighted the importance of acknowledging Africa’s historical ties to the United States, referring to slavery as “our nation’s original sin.” He emphasized the commitment to supporting resilience and addressing urgent humanitarian needs across the continent.

Biden’s visit included a meeting with Angolan President João Lourenço, where the leaders discussed strengthening economic and security partnerships.

Central to their discussions was the Lobito Corridor project, a US-backed initiative aimed at revitalizing a key railway connecting mineral-rich regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia to Angola’s Lobito port.

The project is seen as a strategic alternative to Chinese infrastructure investments, which have left Angola with a $17 billion debt to Beijing, nearly 40% of its total national debt.

Biden called the Lobito Corridor a transformative opportunity for Africa, stating, “The future runs through Angola, through Africa.” The initiative aligns with his administration’s focus on fostering economic growth through infrastructure development.

The visit also brought attention to Angola’s human rights record, with advocacy groups urging Biden to address alleged abuses by security forces and the detention of government critics.

Amnesty International has reported at least 17 protesters killed by police between 2020 and 2023.

On Wednesday, Biden will attend a regional summit in Lobito, joined by leaders from Angola, the DRC, Zambia, and Tanzania, to discuss infrastructure investments and regional development.